“Can you defeat that lion?” she asked softly.
‘Who cared about an oversized cat when my mighty self is here?’ That’s what Huang wanted to chirp with brag but this little bird’s cultivation, was it really enough to battle against that giant? One could feel that lion’s enormous amount of qi even just standing here. If it could be a surprise attack that would end in one move then the victory could be theirs but if the battle was long then Huang would tired way quicker for it didn’t have that much reserve at all and in the end, it would lose more than just its mightiness.
Seyran didn’t talk. She couldn’t really feel the animal’s qi like Huang so she couldn’t really judge. But the bird had a faint impression that she was dissatisfied. It felt real chills here, its heart badly frightened. Hey, since when was she caring? Will she care if this bird disappeared too? It felt quite certain she would, as useful as it was, it would be a great loss for her was it to disappear. Maybe by then, she’d be tearing earth and sky apart. Huang nodded its head in affirmation, quite certain of itself. If that servant could get her so worked up then for this formidable bird, she would certainly be crying. Lost in its own world, it was Seyran’s curt voice that brought the bird back.
“Follow that person.”
Between all the shouting of the merry population, congratulating the princess and welcoming her back, only Huang heard her. Seyran was intently looking at the woman on the lion’s back, so Huang needn’t ask who she was referring to. It spread its beautifully vibrant red wings and flew, following the passing procession which had at its lead the smiling princess who was waving her hands.
No one noticed –or specifically bothered with- the little bird which landed on the roof of the princess’s carriage.
***
The minister of rites had really overworked herself to get everything organized for the fourth princess’s return and with the royal advisor breathing down her neck every time, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. But the results of months’ worth of preparation were quite satisfying. Decorations hung everywhere in the capital and all along, beautiful welcoming songs of multiples musicians kept the procession company until they entered the principal gates of the palace.
The palace itself was the most stunning. Fresh petals of mix colors were adorning the floor, clothes with vivacious shades were draped on walls, from places to places one could read, written in calligraphy the words ‘welcome back’. Upon entering the tall gates, from side to side, lines of guards were seen with, in front of them, their contracted beasts. As the procession kept on going, the beasts released their elements in the sky; fire, water, and thunder formed lovely figures. At the end of the line, was the minister of rites, a woman of forty, with a small smiled on her face. She bowed her head, bidding the princess welcome and asking her to follow. Still on the back of her lion, the princess followed her to the biggest garden of the palace, by the side reserved for the queen. But since there wasn't an official queen yet, it was the crown princess that granted access to this place. It was really a spacious place with magnificent flowers that were beautifully trimmed, fake mountains and a pool by its left.
Every official had been invited; even the fourth elders were present today, to welcome the fourth princess back.
The moment the procession stopped walking, the palace's guards which had followed behind, ordered their contracted beasts to release in concert their elements in the sky once again. Now it wasn’t simply beautiful forms, but the words ‘welcome back, fourth princess’ could be seen in the sky. They were exquisitely written and easily identifiable. The minister smiled happily at the amazed gazes of some invitees. For the first princess's return, it had been impossible to coordinate the beasts to write ‘welcome back, first princess’ so only the word ‘welcome’ had been displayed. But now she had personally chosen and trained those people for this. All that was left now were the fireworks but those would have to wait for the night.
The whole royal family was there, of course, seating on decorated chairs on a platform. Bai Ming’s, the royal advisor was sitting in a large decorated chair, by her right were her children seated in their birth’s order. A smiling Su Qiun, a bored Jun Lin, and his quite expressionless twin Xue Zhi. By Shanlin’s left, were seated her younger sister Minqi with her son, the third prince Xin Fen.
Minqi had a smile on her face as she arranged the girly ornaments in her son’s hair, reminding her to sit better. Even though she kept calling him Shao Yang, the sweet smile on the little boy’s face never wavered, having long been accustomed to that. The one who would frown on his behalf though was Xue Zhi but likewise she wouldn’t really talk and imitating everyone else, she looked up at the sky, to the exhibition in front of them.
The crown princess was seated on a higher platform directly in front of where Bai Ming was, contrary to the rest of her family which was by her right. The elders were directly behind the crown princess, with one of the four seats empty. By Bai Ming’s right were seated on a platform too, the rest of the assembly’s members: the right general Mehwan and the four other ministers. The other officials and nobles were not seated on a platform but by the platforms’ sides. Notably, though, none consorts were present.
When the words written in elements disappeared, the golden lion directed its gaze towards the sky, and let out a loud roar. It was such a powerful sound that the other contracted beasts cowered, the clothes hanging on the walls shook, and the sound was certainly heard from a long distance. It was unknown who between the official started to clap but very soon, everyone was clapping, welcoming with endless praises. Bai Ming caressed the mane of the lion and it roared a second time while she smiled proudly. Graciously, she jumped from her sitting position and landed in front of her sacred beast.
The whole royal family was there, of course, seating on decorated chairs on a platform. Bai Ming’s, the royal advisor was sitting in a large decorated chair, by her right were her children seated in their birth’s order. A smiling Su Qiun, a bored Jun Lin, and his quite expressionless twin Xue Zhi. By Shanlin’s left, were seated her younger sister Minqi with her son, the third prince Xin Fen.
Minqi had a smile on her face as she arranged the girly ornaments in her son’s hair, reminding her to sit better. Even though she kept calling him Shao Yang, the sweet smile on the little boy’s face never wavered, having long been accustomed to that. The one who would frown on his behalf though was Xue Zhi but likewise she wouldn’t really talk and imitating everyone else, she looked up at the sky, to the exhibition in front of them.
The crown princess was seated on a higher platform directly in front of where Bai Ming was, contrary to the rest of her family which was by her right. The elders were directly behind the crown princess, with one of the four seats empty. By Bai Ming’s right were seated on a platform too, the rest of the assembly’s members: the right general Mehwan and the four other ministers. The other officials and nobles were not seated on a platform but by the platforms’ sides. Notably, though, none consorts were present.
When the words written in elements disappeared, the golden lion directed its gaze towards the sky, and let out a loud roar. It was such a powerful sound that the other contracted beasts cowered, the clothes hanging on the walls shook, and the sound was certainly heard from a long distance. It was unknown who between the official started to clap but very soon, everyone was clapping, welcoming with endless praises. Bai Ming caressed the mane of the lion and it roared a second time while she smiled proudly. Graciously, she jumped from her sitting position and landed in front of her sacred beast.
She bowed to the crown princess, saluting her accordingly. The other waved her hand, dismissing her extremely polite words.
“So many ceremonies do lift your head, fourth sister; For six years I haven’t seen you, what a beauty you’ve become.” Her gaze rested on the animal behind the fourth princess “What a charming contracted beast you have.” There was a tint of disdain in her voice but the smile never left the fourth princess as she bowed once more.
“Fourth thanks the crown princess.”
“No need for too much politeness. Proceed, proceed.” Said the voice with a tint of laziness and boredom which had some people frowned.
“So many ceremonies do lift your head, fourth sister; For six years I haven’t seen you, what a beauty you’ve become.” Her gaze rested on the animal behind the fourth princess “What a charming contracted beast you have.” There was a tint of disdain in her voice but the smile never left the fourth princess as she bowed once more.
“Fourth thanks the crown princess.”
“No need for too much politeness. Proceed, proceed.” Said the voice with a tint of laziness and boredom which had some people frowned.
The seat where sat the crown princess was actually the one reserved for the queen. Since having been named crown princess that was what she used, dismissing the one that was normally hers. No one talked even though some dissatisfied whispers had been raised when she changed the decoration on it. In the end, she would be queen and they weren’t many who wanted to be on that princess’s bad side.
Having greeted the crown princess, Bai Ming then saluted the elders, her family, the assembly other members and the rest.
In their magnanimity, the royal family invited the population to assist too. It was the first time that it was done, and some whispered that this favor had been possible because the first princess insisted very much. Of course, there weren’t enough places for the whole capital, and since it was first to come first to be served, those presents were mostly youngsters, those that lived in the imperial city. They were placed at the far corner of the garden where they wouldn’t be an eyesore but they could still see almost everything that was taking place at the front.
By now, they were admiring as Bai Ming was displaying her strength in a mock battle with her guards and they cheered for her when she won. That year when the first princess brought back her cub wolf and fought, they couldn’t see but now they were shouting so loudly that no one could really ignore their presence.
Having greeted the crown princess, Bai Ming then saluted the elders, her family, the assembly other members and the rest.
***
In their magnanimity, the royal family invited the population to assist too. It was the first time that it was done, and some whispered that this favor had been possible because the first princess insisted very much. Of course, there weren’t enough places for the whole capital, and since it was first to come first to be served, those presents were mostly youngsters, those that lived in the imperial city. They were placed at the far corner of the garden where they wouldn’t be an eyesore but they could still see almost everything that was taking place at the front.
By now, they were admiring as Bai Ming was displaying her strength in a mock battle with her guards and they cheered for her when she won. That year when the first princess brought back her cub wolf and fought, they couldn’t see but now they were shouting so loudly that no one could really ignore their presence.
However, Seyran, who had wanted to follow them and enter too, had been denied the access. She wasn’t the only one in that case, but she was still the one who attracted the attention the most. The others had worn their best clothes yet, here was this woman who was shameless enough to wish to enter the palace with her clothes filled with filth. The guards of the backdoor’s disdained her and their words weren’t particularly courteous as they ushered her to go away.
Huang was now perched on the roof and where it was, it could see Seyran quite perfectly, thinking to itself, with that aggressive nature she had, would she really be idly ordered around? Huang was ready to bet her head she wouldn’t. Then the little bird felt that something was wrong with its wording. If it bet her head then won’t she die if it was proven wrong? How then would this formidable bird eat its fill? Better bet her feet in that case!
The expressionless woman was still there, in front of the three guards, not moving an inch. At first, Seyran was going to wait for Huang’s report to act and since the palace was open why not take a look? But, coming from that place, there was this strange pull she felt, making her head throbbed a little.
The women in front of her were now threatening to use force against her, and even those behind her who were equally denied access joined the reprimands. Another guard, one with a higher position than those there, came to see what the commotion was about. Once there, her hands shook as she took in the face of that woman.
“Crown … princess?” she stuttered, her steps faltering. She was assigned as an inner guard and frequently, she saw the crown princess everyday… But… that woman, clearly, she couldn’t be the crown princess!
“Of course not!” exclaimed someone, quickly followed by other voices. And the newcomer remembered that the crown princess was already sitting in the garden. But really, it was frightening how two people could look so much alike without sharing blood ties.
Seyran didn’t reply, feeling that pull being more intense every passing second. That strange presence that felt familiar was coming close by itself now and Seyran just ignored the guards, staring at her left.
Soon, a giant grey fur was seen by the roof.
Soon, a giant grey fur was seen by the roof.
***
By the back of the palace, it had felt her. It had followed her progress since that faraway village in the desert, and it knew the exact moment she entered the capital. She was so close yet she stopped moving altogether. The beast’s dark intentions were becoming harder and harder to conceal for itself. How many times had it scratched the ground already? It lifted its head in her direction, then it got up, leaving a place it hadn’t move from since many years.
While it was a giant, its feet weren’t really heavy and where it went, the cold followed, leaving an almost perceptible icy temperature.
There she was, in front of the back gates.
“Look, look the protector!”
“It’s the protector!”
“Fenrir!”
“The conqueror’s beast!”
Many were talking and much more had smiles on their faces, acknowledging the animal. Since when hadn’t they seen this famous beast? Yet here it was now, in front of them to contemplate. They squealed delightedly now that they didn’t enter or else, where could they have the chance to see that legend?
It was a giant beast that looked like a wolf, a big wolf, which had the size of three grown horses maybe three and a half. Its fur was white with some parts grey. In the middle of its forehead, there was a part with black fur. Its usually dark eyes were grey for it was fighting against itself to not have them white. How hard was it trying! From its opened mouth came a chilling air which had many of those present tugged at their clothes to heat them a little more.
Since it wasn’t an everyday occurrence for that beast to leave its place, some were speculating about its motives. And plenty there were in accordance with this one.
“He went out to saluted the fourth princess’s return”
Yet the eyes of the beast never left Seyran.
The previous angry killing intent felt familiar to her now. Seeing this animal, some memories flooded into her head. Wasn’t it the mythological beast, said protector of their country, Xian Yuuna’s the conqueror contracted beast, Fenrir? The corner of her lips rose, yet it wasn’t really a smile. Her eyes had a dark blue in them. Then her smile grew wider, her face resembling someone who had found a very interesting object, an altogether amusing and useful one. The strange expression on her face could almost confuse one to think that she was reuniting with a dear old friend and not, with an animal that, since her birth had always threatened to eat and destroy her along with her country.
With a charmingly soft voice, she too acknowledged the big animal in front of her. Contrary to her usual cold voice, there was an almost tenderness in her tone. That beast wasn’t pleased with her presence, accordingly, as the saying goes, she felt like adding frost to snow, so charmingly with an almost soothing voice, she said,
“King of the northern region, bringer of death and calamity. I trust you’ve been well since we last met.”
By the end, her tone was one of mockery.
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